Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term cosmetic and sexual outcomes of hypospadias surgery performed in childhood and to analyze the relation between them.

Methods

A long-term follow-up was made to 174 patients who were operated for hypospadias in this institute between 1984 and 1992. Their records were analyzed retrospectively, and a detailed questionnaire was mailed to them. Responses from returned questionnaires were pooled and analyzed.

Results

Forty-three (24.7%) of 174 patients finished the questionnaire. The mean patient age of the 43 patients was 21.6 years. Twenty-three (53.5%) of 43 patients were dissatisfied with penile appearance. The main reason for dissatisfaction was smaller penile size and curvature. Thirty-six (83.7%) of 43 patients were satisfied with overall sexual function. Of these 43 patients, 76.7% reported good quality of erection, but 23.3% reported the existence of problems during erection. The main complaint was smaller penile size and curvature. There were 17 patients (39.5%) with ejaculation problems, mainly including impotent ejaculation. Sixteen (88.9%) of the 18 patients who had experienced sexual intercourse reported no problems during intercourse. Depending on the severity of hypospadias, these patients with proximal hypospadias were more dissatisfied with penile appearance than those with distal hypospadias (76.5 vs. 38.5%, P < 0.025). And they complained more problems during erection (41.2 vs. 11.5%, P < 0.05), ejaculation (100 vs. 0%), and sexual intercourse (50 vs. 0%, P < 0.05), and were less likely to experience sexual intercourse (23.5 vs. 53.8%, P < 0.05), compared to those with distal hypospadias. Depending on their self-evaluation on penile appearance, these patients who were satisfied with penile appearance had less problems in achieving erection (5.0 vs. 39.1%, P < 0.025) and ejaculation (20 vs. 56.5%, P < 0.025) and were more likely to experience sexual intercourse (60 vs. 26.1%, P < 0.05), compared to those who were dissatisfied. The self-rated satisfaction scale correlates positively with the penile appearance and sexual function (r = 0.469, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Patients who had been operated for hypospadias have a significantly careful concern on penile appearance. Penile size can obviously impact satisfaction with penile appearance and sexual function. Some patients have erection, ejaculation, and intercourse problems in adulthood, but majority have a rather normal sexual function. The more severe the hypospadias, the more dissatisfactory the long-term outcome. Better cosmetic outcome is related to better sexual outcome. Although remaining challenging, it is necessary to follow up hypospadias patients after surgeries into adulthood.